Blumat auto watering

[Bwanabud]

I ran canna a+b through mine. No calmag, try some Epsom instead like I did. Gotta make sure no light can penetrate your rez. Put a filter around your pump. Come to think of it that canna did make some brown slime crap in the bottom of my rez but the filter kept it out. Must be some fulvic in that canna. Now that I switched to V+B there is no crap in the rez and it beats canna all to hell as a base nute.

Appreciate the help, I'll give your ideas a try

Unfortunately I just bought 10L each of Canna A&B, may I ask what V+B is...brand ? (sorry a newbie coco grower).

 

[LostInEthereal]

It's Hydroponic Research Veg + Bloom, powdered nutrient. I switched from Canna to V+B for simplicity and only regret buying the whole Canna line in large quantities to sit on a shelf.

 

[bigbadbiddy]

Canna Bloom booster and Rhizotonic are always useful and simply good product. Especially the Bio versions.

So don't fret on it too much. As for the rest of the Canna line... well if you replaced it with something else I guess its useless to you.

But you will still find a good use for the Rhizo and Bloom.

 

[oti$]

I just wanna throw my 2 cents in about 5he cal-mag. Coco specific nutes like canna really shouldn't require cal mag as there is usually plenty of calcium present. I have, however, found mag to be kind of low in some coco specific nutes which can be remedied with a pinch of epsoms (+/-1g/gal) as me tinned above. I think it's also probably the cal-mag that could be causing sludge in the lines. A cap full of bleach or pool shock can be used to keep the res sterile and does not affect the plants.

 

[Bwanabud]

I just wanna throw my 2 cents in about 5he cal-mag. Coco specific nutes like canna really shouldn't require cal mag as there is usually plenty of calcium present. I have, however, found mag to be kind of low in some coco specific nutes which can be remedied with a pinch of epsoms (+/-1g/gal) as me tinned above. I think it's also probably the cal-mag that could be causing sludge in the lines. A cap full of bleach or pool shock can be used to keep the res sterile and does not affect the plants.

Interesting,,,I'm new to Coco, and was under the impression that they needed more CaMg than other typical soiless media...I've been feeding them 2 ml per gallon, but have no problem eliminating it from the base...especially if it's causing the brown "stuff".

I neglected to add that I just started using Drip-Clean this week, hoping to stop the clogging problem...should I still add the bleach along with the Drip Clean ?

 

[LostInEthereal]

For those of you using pressurized systems, are you still keeping the 'loop' design after the pressure reducer? I thought about running a large square loop around the inside of the tent, but I don't think that will be strictly necessary.

I must admit I was guilty and opted for the pre-assembled pump system offered by SV, should arrive this afternoon. I'll take some detailed pictures with serial numbers if I can so those of you more apt to DIY can copycat.

 

[Bwanabud]

I run in a "U" shape, that dead-ends into a purge bleed valve at the end,,,no problems at all, a fantastic system for sure.

 

[LostInEthereal]

Came with some instructions/pump setup diagrams, and everything you see pictured including teflon tape.

I'm not really sure what that white piece is in between the pump and accumulator tank. I doubt it's just thread/size adapter, perhaps someone can chime in? This could certainly be made for cheaper than I paid, so hopefully this helps someone.

Apparently it's called a 1/2" Slip union, this one is PVC-80. It's like $7 at home depot.

 

[sunnydog]

Slip union makes so you can take it apart easily......

 

[Sforza]

I'm not really sure what that white piece is in between the pump and accumulator tank. I doubt it's just thread/size adapter, perhaps someone can chime in? This could certainly be made for cheaper than I paid, so hopefully this helps someone.

Apparently it's called a 1/2" Slip union, this one is PVC-80. It's like $7 at home depot.

Like SD says, it is helpful for when you need to put the system together and take it apart. You use the slip union to isolate a single part or section, so that you can just work on that part instead of having to deal with the entire system. I put them in my the piping in my ranch well water system between the submersible pump and the accumulation tank.

 

[bigbadbiddy]

Hi folks,

so I looked into the suggestions from Bwanabud and found these 3 articles I would like to use (can be found on amaz on uk for info ;p):
- Osculati Europump 4
- Fiamma accumulator A20
- Shurflo Screw-on pump filter

200l reservoir and about 20 Blumats for 5 gallon pots.

This gonna work?

I asked Bwanabud with links to the item description in PM but he hasn't responded yet, guess he's busy.
So I figured I just ask here again.

The Shurflo pump costs about 3 times as much as the Osculati and the accumulator from Shurflo is about double the price of the Fiamma.

Would be really glad if these 3 components would do the trick but am unsure to be honest what I have to look at, help greatly appreciated

 

[oti$]

Interesting,,,I'm new to Coco, and was under the impression that they needed more CaMg than other typical soiless media...I've been feeding them 2 ml per gallon, but have no problem eliminating it from the base...especially if it's causing the brown "stuff".

I neglected to add that I just started using Drip-Clean this week, hoping to stop the clogging problem...should I still add the bleach along with the Drip Clean ?

I'd eliminate unless you see a deficiency, then try a little epsoms. I recently picked up a bottle of drip clean after discontinuing it's use for a stretch. Ive been having salt build up issues. It will not only help keep the lines clean, but also prevents lockout due to salt build up that you get when you fertigate Coco with no run off. It will be fine with a splash of bleach.

 

[Bwanabud]

Hi folks,

so I looked into the suggestions from Bwanabud and found these 3 articles I would like to use (can be found on amaz on uk for info ;p):
- Osculati Europump 4
- Fiamma accumulator A20
- Shurflo Screw-on pump filter

200l reservoir and about 20 Blumats for 5 gallon pots.

This gonna work?

I asked Bwanabud with links to the item description in PM but he hasn't responded yet, guess he's busy.
So I figured I just ask here again.

The Shurflo pump costs about 3 times as much as the Osculati and the accumulator from Shurflo is about double the price of the Fiamma.

Would be really glad if these 3 components would do the trick but am unsure to be honest what I have to look at, help greatly appreciated

BBB,
I spec'd out the parts to you, finding them in your part of the world may be an issue...but drastically changing the perimeters of the system might be a problem in the future for you. As I said in earlier posts, if you choose to reinvent the wheel all power to you...but leaving the proven mechanics of pump/expansion tank/pressure switch technology as we know it, is a risk you may choose to take alone.

1)The pump is rated at 3 liters a minute, which is 1/2 the size of the stock configuration...most members have up-sized to a 3 gpm pump. I've never heard of the pump manufacturer, nor does it have any feedback on Amazon. They give very little info on the pump, or pressure switch limits.
2)The accumulator sizing is fine, but never heard of the manufacturer either.
3)The filter is 1/2 the size of the Blumat spec version, which means when it gets dirty(which it will very fast)the head pressure will go up and charge time on expansion tank will make motor run longer.

All of your standard measurement system is different than ours, so I have to convert all suggested parts & capacities each time...either way we don't always have the luxury to purchase parts based on price alone, but instead on performance & function.

 

[gr866]

I could use some help on this one, nothing has changed, all plants receive the some nutes, not sure what is up.
This pic is from the 24th and most plants are showing minor signs of this.


Have posted about this problem in a couple of forums, lot's of suggestion and comments and I appreciate them all.
The ppm have been in the 500's once at around 650 but mainly in the low to mid 500's.

So, I am going with N toxicity, removed 8 gallons from the 11 +/- gallons in the rez. Did remix and now we have 322 ppm and 5.82 pH. Going to run with this for a bit and see what we get. Can't keep doing the same ol' shit and expect it to get any better.
I plan on pulling the plants out of the tent tomorrow and giving them a heavy flush (1 gal + per plant) of around 300 ppm and a pH of 5.8, then put them on that feeding till I see some improvement.
Any other suggestions are damn welcome. You can check my grow in the link below.

GR

 

[Bwanabud]

Did you happen to check run-off for PH & PPM ?

 

[gr866]

Did you happen to check run-off for PH & PPM ?

I get no runoff with my Blumats, did not think you where supposed to with this system.
This is my first coco with blumats run, have been running coco Hempys and I do know you don't check the runoff on those, the reading will make you nuts.

Have decided to lower the ppm and maintain the pH at 5.8 to 6.1.
I will check when I do the work tomorrow, going to flush with very low dose nutes and pH to 5.8. Then begin watering with a mix of 300 + nutes, cannazym, SM90 and Drip Clean.

 

[Bwanabud]

I agree run-off tests aren't needed from a maintenance point, but could be interesting if you're having a problem/flushing anyway.

I'd give them a rinse at 1/2 strength nutes, at least 1x the pot size volume, and add 1/2 tsp per gallon of epson...it may be a salt build up problem too. I don't think your base nute schedule is too high, there's something else going on in the coco/water.

 

[bigbadbiddy]

Hey Bwana,

thanks

I will look into a larger pump and if necessary just cough up the 100 bucks for the shurflo.
And a larger filter, gotcha.

Will check again and post what I find.

 

[bigbadbiddy]

Alright so:

- Shurflo 37810 is rated at 11.3 liters per minute, should be fine?
- Shurflo 25777 is the only accumulator I could find available from shurflo but I guess it fits the bill?
- Shurflo 25774 and 25775 are the only filters I could find and you said they are too small :-/

This will cost me close to 200 bucks all in all. Bit of a bummer, considering I got the "oversized" thing I mentioned a few pages back for just 130. But hey, what don't we do for our hobby

A quick confirm that these 3 parts will do the trick would be nice. I also think I still need some connectors but am unsure as to which..
Do have the pressure reduction nozzle from Blumat though.

Cheers and sorry if I am being such a noob.

 

[Bwanabud]

It sure looks like the Shurflo 37810 is a 12vdc motor, what current line voltage is your home ?...aren't you guys 230v/50hz ?